Kent confirm Philander signing

Vernon Philander, the South African fast bowler, has been confirmed by Kent as one of their overseas signings for the Friends Life t20*.

"I'm really happy to be here, I hope to help the team to create some great chances and hopefully success," Philander said. "I hope I can use my experience to help the team and also that I can be a good influence in the dressing room."

Philander will join Kent until the end of July and be available in all formats. His arrival is bound to lift an ailing county, which is enduring one of the most nightmarish Championship seasons in its history, two points adrift at the foot of Division Two.

Philander tweeted at the end of his 28th birthday on Monday: "Thanks again for all the kind messages. Had a great day. Sad time again packing and saying bye to friends and family. See u soon #kentccc."

But Kent did not initially confirm the news, with chief executive Jamie Clifford saying that details had still to be finalised on only a few days before their opening T20 tie against Middlesex on Friday.

Clifford said: "We are about to announce, I hope, an overseas signing. We are just waiting on visa details and no objections from the country the player is coming from. Assuming those things are in place, that player should arrive."

Philander's Test pedigree is unchallenged, but he is yet to achieve the same level of success in one-day cricket. He has only a handful of international wickets in ODIs and T20I and South Africa omitted him from their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy.